Posts By: Gord Fraser

We had a wonderful weekend of amazing Tucson traditional rides.  First of course on Saturday was the famous shootout ride.  Our team members benefit greatly from this weekly ride and integrating with the Tucson cycling community.

Sunday we were able to hold our annual Fall Fondo after a year’s absence.  I was really impressed how team members were gracious hosts and accompanied so many great friends out on our suggested routes of 70, 50 and 35 miles.   Thank you to all the businesses that donated time, resources to make it a special event and thank you so much for all participants in what is our biggest one day fundraising event!  We are in the process of buying the clubhouse building so the proceeds will go directly into the acquisition.

NICA #4 this week moves to Phoenix and Southern Conference hosted event.  That means we race Saturday and not Sunday.  We need to leave no later then 12:30pm on Friday so please arrive at the clubhouse at noon.  Shannon has put together the latest SignUp Genius for our all important and appreciated team for the kitchen.  Thanks in advance for your hard work!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAEAB2BA1F94-mountain

We’ve had a couple of colder evenings last week so it’s important that all riders have an extra layer of clothing available to put on during the ride for that temperature drop.  A wind vest is best.  Please see us if you don’t own this garment and we can help pick one for you.  Also we remind all that we require you to have working (fully charged) lights and of course a spare inner tube to be able to practice with us.

Here is the practice schedule for the next two weeks;

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054DADA72CA3FC1-oct1830

We had another tremendous weekend in Prescott in the third round of the NICA series.  Numerous wins and podiums ensued but what was most telling was the number of breakthrough performances had by our team members.  Another highlight was the attendance of many new faces integrating with the team.  It was apparent that all were welcomed warmly.  Thanks to Ignacio and Daniela whose experience makes everything run so smoothly.  Ignacio will share his observations in an upcoming post.

Thanks again to our parent volunteers; especially in the kitchen- Sarah, Mary Bell, Jane Linda to deliver an incredible experience to the kids.  Thanks to Coach David and Chuck for driving amongst many other responsibilities!!

Here’s a complete list of Middle School results;

https://my2.raceresult.com/183065/RRPublish/pdf.php?name=Result%20Lists%7CSouth%20Conference%20Individual%20Results%20-%20Middle%20School&contest=0&lang=en

Here’s a complete list of High School results;

https://my2.raceresult.com/183065/RRPublish/pdf.php?name=Result%20Lists%7CSouth%20Individual%20Results%20-%20High%20School&contest=0&lang=en

Our 8th annual Fall Fondo is this Sunday! This is our largest 1-day fundraiser here at Grupo and allows for us to have an extra special time with families, riders, staff, board members, sponsors, and the community alike! This is a big effort and a great opportunity for everyone to be welcomed back to our clubhouse for the first time since 2019 in this capacity.  Team members; Please show up at 6:30am for rider check in and don’t forget suitable casual attire for the post ride social!  More info can be found here;

https://www.elgrupocycling.org/events/fall-fondo-fundraiser/

Fall break is here!  Coach Ignacio and Coach Lynn will be taking a crew this week camping and mountain biking up at McDowell Park in Phoenix.  I and our awesome coaching volunteers will run practice Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon at our usual 4:30 timeslot.  Here is the practice schedule;

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054dada72ca3fc1-oct417

It sure was strange to see the ‘Queen of the Classics’ taking part in October and not in the usual April time frame.  Amazing races were held both in the men’s race but in the long overdue inaugural women’s edition of Paris Roubaix.  Check out the highlights;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGLQrDSoPm0

Can you believe we are on the brink of the midway point of the NICA season?  Prescott is the venue this coming weekend and we will continue to push this week in our preparations.  We are always in appreciation of all parents that support and lend a hand on site.  Here is Shannon’s sign up for that all important volunteer help;

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAEAB2BA1F94-mountain

On a personal note, it’s been announced that I will be leaving my position of Head Coach of Team El Grupo and take a position with one of cycling’s top development road teams at the Israel Cycling Academy.  I will be transitioning later this fall.  I want to thank the whole El Grupo organization for the tremendous support and look forward to riding with the kids for years to come.

Here is the next few weeks’ practices and schedule;

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054DADA72CA3FC1-oct417

After a year’s absence due to Covid, it was with great anticipation that the team traveled to Flagstaff for the first NICA event of the season.  The team has practiced really well the past month and we were excited to test our race fitness.  Tomas (pictured) would be in the first race of the day… Read more »

Sunday we enjoyed our second weekend excursion to ride the Arizona Trail in the southerly direction from the Gabe Zimmerman Trail Head.  The out and back route gave spectacular views and offered fast, flowy terrain; a perfect recipe to get ready for NICA. It’s finally here.  After a year hiatus from the pandemic, we are… Read more »

I want to congratulate everyone for a very fun, exciting and rewarding weekend.  Despite very early mornings, we had great attendance for a rare weekend of road racing; Saturday’s epic Race Against Time time trial event and Sunday’s new criterium- La Clasica San Manuel.  Seeing the El Grupo vans caravan to a bike race was… Read more »

We are one week away from some exciting and challenging road racing in San Manuel, organized by our friends at the UofA cycling team!  Saturday is a challenging 30km time trial; a race solo against the clock, while Sunday is a criterium; a 1 mile circuit around San Manuel High School that is raced in… Read more »

I hope everyone has been enjoying this record breaking monsoon season.  What a beautiful landscape we can ride to these days, with the mountains around Tucson being particularly green this year. Thanks to everyone for signing up in the Pitzone for the NICA events this year.  We will continue to honor the El Grupo tradition… Read more »

Sorry for the late (or early am) notice.  With the rainy wet conditions, and the radar/forecast for this morning indicating more of the same we will go ahead and cancel practice this morning for Saturday Aug 14.

I hope and trust everyone is enjoying getting back to school.  Afternoon practices have been well attended and we continue to encourage increased attendance and most importantly consistency as we look forward to NICA which is fast approaching 6 weeks away! We’ve been seeing issues in dealing with the heat of the afternoon so please… Read more »